General Expressions for CommunicationIn the Classroom
How do you say in English?Please speak more slowly.Please repeat that.How do you pronounce this word?How do you spell ….? / Please spell that.May I borrow …?Please write that on the board.Can I have a piece of paper?I don’t understand. Please explain that.I need to leave early.I can’t come to class tomorrow.I’m sorry I’m late.
To Start a Conversation
Good morning.Good afternoon.Good evening.Hi. My name is . What is your name?It’s nice to meet you. / It’s a pleasure to meet you. Excuse me. May I talk to you for a minute?May I ask you a question? / May I ask you some questions?
To Give Your Opinion
I think that …/ I feel that …/ I believe that …In my opinion, …
To Clarify When You Don’t Understand
I don’t understand. / I don’t get it.What do you mean?Could you repeat that? / Could you say that again?I didn’t hear what you said. Could you speak up please?I didn’t understand your last sentence. Could you repeat what you said?
To Show that You Understand
Now I’ve got it. I understand.I’m with you.Uh-huh.Um-hmm.
To Check Another Person’s Understanding of You
Do you follow me?Have you got it? / Did you get that?Are you with me?Would you like me to repeat that?Please repeat to me what I just told you.Be sure to ask if you have any questions.
To Ask Another Person’s Opinion
What do you think? / What’s your opinion?Do you agree?What do you think about …?
To Say that You Agree
I agree (completely).That’s right. / That’s correct. / That’s true.That’s what I think, too. / I think so, too.Exactly!
To Say that You Don’t Agree
Really? I think that …Well, I’m not sure about that.I disagree. / I don’t agree.Really? I’m surprised you think that.Well, I don’t think so.That’s wrong. / That isn’t right.Absolutely not!
To Fill the Silence While You Think
Hmm… Let me think about that.I’m not sure.I haven’t thought about that.
To End a Conversation
Sorry, but I have to go now.Sorry, but I need to go now.Well, it was nice talking to you, but I need to get back to work.It was nice talking to you, but the time is up.Excuse me. It’s time for me to leave.
To Say Good-bye
It was nice meeting you.It was nice talking to you.Thanks for the information.Talk to you later.See you again soon.Take care.See you later.Have a nice day / afternoon / evening!
How do you say in English?Please speak more slowly.Please repeat that.How do you pronounce this word?How do you spell ….? / Please spell that.May I borrow …?Please write that on the board.Can I have a piece of paper?I don’t understand. Please explain that.I need to leave early.I can’t come to class tomorrow.I’m sorry I’m late.
To Start a Conversation
Good morning.Good afternoon.Good evening.Hi. My name is . What is your name?It’s nice to meet you. / It’s a pleasure to meet you. Excuse me. May I talk to you for a minute?May I ask you a question? / May I ask you some questions?
To Give Your Opinion
I think that …/ I feel that …/ I believe that …In my opinion, …
To Clarify When You Don’t Understand
I don’t understand. / I don’t get it.What do you mean?Could you repeat that? / Could you say that again?I didn’t hear what you said. Could you speak up please?I didn’t understand your last sentence. Could you repeat what you said?
To Show that You Understand
Now I’ve got it. I understand.I’m with you.Uh-huh.Um-hmm.
To Check Another Person’s Understanding of You
Do you follow me?Have you got it? / Did you get that?Are you with me?Would you like me to repeat that?Please repeat to me what I just told you.Be sure to ask if you have any questions.
To Ask Another Person’s Opinion
What do you think? / What’s your opinion?Do you agree?What do you think about …?
To Say that You Agree
I agree (completely).That’s right. / That’s correct. / That’s true.That’s what I think, too. / I think so, too.Exactly!
To Say that You Don’t Agree
Really? I think that …Well, I’m not sure about that.I disagree. / I don’t agree.Really? I’m surprised you think that.Well, I don’t think so.That’s wrong. / That isn’t right.Absolutely not!
To Fill the Silence While You Think
Hmm… Let me think about that.I’m not sure.I haven’t thought about that.
To End a Conversation
Sorry, but I have to go now.Sorry, but I need to go now.Well, it was nice talking to you, but I need to get back to work.It was nice talking to you, but the time is up.Excuse me. It’s time for me to leave.
To Say Good-bye
It was nice meeting you.It was nice talking to you.Thanks for the information.Talk to you later.See you again soon.Take care.See you later.Have a nice day / afternoon / evening!